Fire-kindler.



Patanted Feb. 6, 1900; E. L. BLANCHABD.

FIRE KINDLER. (Appliation filed Nov. 8, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Eff/186.36 55 far/ve vessel except at the ends.

vessel.

UNITED STATES PATENT GEFICE.

EUGENE L. BLANCHARD, OF JAMESTOIVN, NEV YORK.

FIRE-KINDLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,036. dated February6, 1900. Application filed November 8, 1.899. Serial No. 736.254. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE L. BLANOHARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFire-Kindlers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has relation to the class known as fire-kindlers, and hasfor its object to kindle fires under grates or other places where akindler can be used.

The invention consists in constructing a Vessel preferably oblong orspoon-shaped in longitudinal section, said vessel being composed of twosections, the lower section having on its bottom a longitudinal V-shapedinwardly-projecting groove, also on its inside an upwardly and inwardlyprojecting partition, which divides the lower section of the The saidpartition is provided with air-tubes registering with the tube-holes inthe bottom of the groove, by which air is conveyed to the inside of theThe bottom is also provided with a second series of holes or aperturesthrough it, into which are fitted stud-tubes, also for a supply of air.These tubes are of different lengths, so that the air is conveyed todifferent parts of the vessel. The top section is also provided withholes or perforations larger than the bottom holes. These holes in theupper section are for the purpose of permitting the carbureted air toescape from the vessel, which air is ignited for the purpose of kindlingthe fire, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a top plan view; Fig. 2, aninverted or bottom view; Fig. 3, a horizontal view looking into thelower section of the vessel; Fig. 4., an inverted view of the uppersection, looking into it. Fig. 5 shows a transverse vertical section ofthe device when the two sections are in position, taken on the line w orof Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is aview in perspective of the handle.

The same letters will indicate like parts throughout the severalfigures, in which- A is the vessel, and B the projection for attachingthe handle and also for screwing the two sections or members together.This projection B is provided with bolt-holes a a. The holes in thelower section are tapped or screw-threaded for the reception of bolts 1)b.

c c are slots formed in the projection B, also holes d d in the sameprojection at the ends of the slots. These slots and holes are to securethe handle 0, which is made of a single piece of wire bent back uponitself and then the ends bent downwardly to fit the holes d 01. Bothsections or members have the grooves o 0, so that when the handle andthe upper and lower sections are placed in position and the bolts 1) bscrewed down all the parts are secured together.

D is the bottom section or member, having the V-shaped groove Gprojecting upwardly from the bottom and extending nearly the entirelength of the device. Above this groove G within the lower section isplaced an inverted-V-shaped longitudinal partition H, which practicallydivides the lower section into two compartments. On the face of thepartition H, I insert a series of tubes ff, which project upwardly intothe upper section. These tubes coincide or register with holes 9 g inthe bottom V-shaped groove, so that air passing in the holes passes upthrough the tubes into the vessel. The bottom section is also providedwith other holes h h at various distances apart. These holes 72. halsoregister with tubes '6 t', placed immediately over them. The outsideholes in the bottom D and in the groove G are countersunk or flaring, sothat the air is more easily introduced than if the holes were straight.I place at the end of one of the sections a dowel-pin K and acorresponding hole Zin the opposite section, so that when the sectionsare put in position the hole and pin will hold them in place.

Before the upper and lower sections are put together they are snuglyfilled with an absorbent material, preferably asbestos, which will holdoil to a large extent. The handle is then put in position, the upper andlower sections are placed together, the bolts screwed down, and thedevice is ready for use.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The vessel being filled with absorbent of some refractory material, suchas asbestos or min eral wool, it is to be submerged in oil or otherinflammable material until the absorbent becomes entirely saturated, orthe oil may be poured into the vessel. In either case the oil cannotleak out through the bottom, as the surface of the air-tubes is abovethe center, so that no leakage can take place. Air passes in through thetubes, becoming intermingled with the saturated absorbent and oilysubstance within the vessel. This intermingling and commingling of theair with the rich oils carhurets the air until it is as rich as gas incarbon. In this condition when ready for use the air passes out throughholes m, is ignited, and placedin position to light the fire. When thefire is well under way, the device is withdrawn and laid away.

A cover of asbestos cloth (not shown) may be used for extinguishing theblazing light issuing from the apertures m of the device before puttingit aside.

It is obvious that the kindler may be made of any shape and that slightmodifications may be made for carrying my invention into effect withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not therefore desireto be confined to the exact form shown and described.

Having thus described my invention and the best means of carrying outthe same known to me at present, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination in a kindling device of the upper and lower sections,the latter having an outwardly-flaring or V-shaped groove on its underside, and a series of flaring holes for the purpose of inducing currentsof air through them, a central longitudinal partition on the inner side,said holes and partition having air-tubes coinciding with the outerholes in the bottom, and apertures in the top section, substantially asdescribed.

2. A kindling device comprising the upper and lower sections, the latterhaving an outwardly-flaring groove, an upwardly-projecting partition,carrying air-tubes, the holes or apertures in the groove registeringwith the tubes on the partition for the inflow of air, the upper sectionhaving outlet-apertures, the tubes and partition serving to prevent theabsorbent from packing in the chamber, substantially as described.

3. In a device for kindling fires consisting of the upper and the lowersection, the lower section having air-inlets, the upper havingair-outlets, larger in diameter than the under set, each section havinga grooved projection for clamping the handle and securing the twosections together in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

4:. In a device for kindling fires, the combination of the upper andlower sections, each having apertures and constructed as described, thepartition air-tubes in the lower section, projecting above the lowersection and into the upper section at various heights to distribute theair equally to the absorbent material, as set forth.

5. The combination of a kindling device comprising two sections eachhaving grooved lateral projections and apertures, of the handle bentupon itself, the free ends at, n, turned at right angles to fit'saidapertures, and the handle fitted in said grooves, the parts beingsecured and clamped in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have here at'fixed my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

EUGENE L. BLANOHARD. Witnesses:

J OHN ANDERSON, CHARLES A. OGREN.

